write resistivity series of metals
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Metals, in general, are substances which have high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, and high density. Typically they are malleable and ductile, deforming under stress without cleaving. In terms of optical properties, metals are shiny and lustrous. This article is on reactivity series of metals.
Metals are usually inclined to form cations through electron loss, reacting with oxygen in the air to form oxides over various timescales (iron rusts over years, while potassium burns in seconds). Examples:
4 Na + O2 → 2 Na2O (sodium oxide)
2 Ca + O2 → 2 CaO (calcium oxide)
4 Al + 3 O2 → 2 Al2O3 (aluminium oxide).
The transition metals (such as iron, copper, zinc, and nickel) are slower to oxidize because they form a passive layer of oxide that protects the interior. Others, like palladium, platinum and gold do not react with the atmosphere at all.
Reactivity Series of Metals
Reactivity Series in chemistry is an experimental, structural and logical progression of series of metals in order of reactivity from highest to lowest. Metals react differently with different substances. It gives a descriptive detail on metal reactions with the extraction of metals from ores and with acids and water. In other words, the most reactive metal is presented at the top and the least reactive metal at the bottom, as shown in the reactivity series chart below.
All metals have a tendency to lose electrons and form metal ions. In other words, all metals are good reducing agents and easily oxidize themselves.
M → Mn+ + ne–
The reactivity series of metals can be shown in another way, which includes oxidation reaction of each metal to the respective metal ion. It gives information regarding the reducing power of the metal atom and the oxidation number of the metal ion.
Before discussing the reactivity order of metals, it is important to discuss about the differences between metals and non-metals.